PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry only assists the government on health related manners and it is beyond its scope to get involved in policy decisions, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.
Responding to a question which touched on DAP leader Lim Kit Siang's statement on whether the health ministry had really advised the government against holding parliamentary sittings in light of the Covid-19 situation, he said the ministry only advises the government on the Covid-19 situation in the country.
He said this was based on facts and data such as the transmission rate of infections and whether the number of cases is on the rise.
"That's our role. Other than that, it is beyond the health ministry to advise on policy matters and so on."
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry will continue holding thermal screening tests during the Parliament sitting, and encouraged all Members of Parliaments to continue with good personal hygiene and social distancing.
On another matter, he said the ministry would continue to monitor the situation in Simpang Renggam, which is under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), after the EMCO is lifted tomorrow.